Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD-25) and Ego Functions

Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD-25), an ergot derivative, produces profound psychological effects in humans at minute doses. Since its discovery in 1947, it has been studied for chemical interactions in the body, with the unrealized hope of finding a chemical basis for mental illness, and has been valuable for studying central nervous system physiology. Some hail it as an effective adjunct for treating mental illness, though many studies are uncontrolled. Its greatest value has been as an experimental means of studying psychological functions.

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Abstract

In 1947, Stoll32in Switzerland reported on the effects of D-lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD-25), an ergot derivative which can produce profound psychological effects in humans when it is given in minute doses. Since that time, a large volume of literature has grown up around this substance. LSD has been put to many uses. Its chemical interactions within the body have been studied with the as yet unrealized hope of finding a chemical basis for mental illness. It has been of considerable value in the basic study of the physiology of the central nervous system. It is hailed by some as a dramatically effective adjunct to treating mental illness and is employed in many uncontrolled studies for this purpose. Thus far its greatest value, in my opinion, has been as an experimental means of studying psychological functions. Study of the psychological changes associated with LSD administration has